NYCFC is close to securing the much-needed offensive power, as they near an agreement with Mali international striker Moussa Sylla, according to sources from amNewYork. Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany first reported the progress towards a deal. The 26-year-old Sylla has been with Schalke in Germany’s second tier for the past two seasons. A product of the French club Monaco, with stints in the Netherlands and France, he scored 16 goals in 27 league matches during his debut season in Germany. This season, he has four goals and two assists in 17 league matches, with Schalke leading the 2. Bundesliga, which could lead to promotion to Germany’s top flight if they maintain their position. However, Sylla is not part of Schalke’s future plans. He was excluded from their 2-2 draw against FC Kaiserslautern on Sunday, anticipating his move to New York, expected to finalize soon. The transfer fee is reportedly about $8.3 million. NYCFC sporting director Todd Dunivant and head coach Pascal Jansen have prioritized finding a replacement for Alonso Martinez, who tore his ACL while on international duty with Costa Rica in November. Martinez led the team with 19 goals during the MLS regular season and playoffs and is expected to be out until after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending on July 19. “We’re going to have to make sure that we find replacements,” Dunivant said last week. “Alonso scored a lot of goals, and we’ve got to make sure we find that within the team.” Martinez’s absence left NYCFC thin up front. Besides Hannes Wolf, Talles Magno is returning from a loan in Brazil with Corinthians, and Malachi Jones is attempting a return from two severe leg injuries that have kept him out for most of the last two seasons.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com